Vaccine storage conditions in clinics in Colombo.
OBJECTIVE
To study the practices of health personnel regarding vaccine storage and the integrity of the cold chain, during storage, in immunisation clinics.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive survey based on a postal questionnaire and an observational study of the cold chain during storage of a randomly selected sample.


METHODS
Colombo District.


METHODS
10 health centres, 13 Colombo Municipal Council Clinics, 26 general practices receiving vaccines from health centres, 13 private hospitals and 10 state-run hospitals.


METHODS
A pretested postal questionnaire collected information on storage conditions and compliance with EPI requirements. The sub-sample in which the temperatures were monitored consisted of 33% of the total. The study was carried out in 1995-1996, when there was an uninterrupted power supply.


METHODS
Responses to the postal questionnaires and the colour changes recorded in thermosensitive WHO cold chain monitors.


RESULTS
The response rate to the postal questionnaire was 87.5%. All 63 respondents stored vaccines in refrigerators worked by electricity. Information regarding refrigerators showed 46% to be less than 5 years old and 17% were more than 15 years old. 97% of refrigerators had good door seals. Regular defrosting was claimed by 79% of clinics and 81% had a named person responsible for vaccine storage. Only 57% had thermometers available and temperatures were monitored daily in only 40% of clinics. 76% of refrigerators were used for purposes other than storage of vaccines. Colour changes were noted in 2 out of 22 cold chain monitors.
Senanayake
M P
MP
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.
de Silva
T U
TU
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000592:standards; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004356:Drug Storage / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D012034:Refrigeration / Q000379:methods*; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014612:Vaccines / Q000592:standards*
D014612:Vaccines